To Davey at all costs

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Aaron Davey has had a very good season and his disposal is elite, however the predictability of handpassing it off to him on every occasion is becoming tiresome. There are two major problems with this strategy.

1) The player who handpasses it off (whose kicking skills are most likely not as good) does not get to work on his disposal in game pressure situations. It's all very well to practice their kicking at training, but for most players and teams the problem lies when they are put under pressure in a game day situation.

2) By passing it off to Davey (usually around the back) it means that there is one less player to kick it to up forward. That is, I would prefer to see Davey run forward to receive a kick or at least provide another target as opposed to having two players near where the ball is kicked.

I understand the logic of giving the ball to the best kick, but I can't see other players who struggle with their kicking improving if they don't have the practice and in turn confidence to kick the ball themselves.

[CarnTheDees 52]

Agree, especially since as soon as Davey receives he then is in a "play-on" situation and must immediately pick a target under pressure compared to the guy who gave it to him who could take their time.

Davey's skills are sublime though, his kicks are incredibly accurate and penetrating.

[Kiss of Death 747]

The tactic is fine, but it's the first option if aaron is within 30m to handball back to him, teams are aware of the tactic and staying close to him. If we're going to put the ball carrier under pressure like that, why not do it 50m further down the ground? Same with the opposition, at least make them dispose the ball asap under pressure, instead of gifting them 50m of run and then another 40m from a kick! Crows must have had 50 bounces yesterday...

[H_T 3,043]

You're right regarding the predictability of getting the ball to him CB, sides will start to wake up to this when the Dees have the ball. His kicking hurts opposition sides. We need more of his kind ie precision kicking lace out type stuff. So he's not the only focus.